1:40 AM,
Apr. 12, 2013

Sen. Mary Landrieu is in the crosshairs of advocates on both sides of the gun-control issue.

Written by

Deborah Barfield Berry
Gannett Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, who has been targeted by both critics and supporters of new gun-control proposals, voted Thursday to move forward with a proposal to expand background checks for gun sales.

Thursday's Senate action was procedural and moves the bill ahead for more debate and possible amendments. Landrieu, who is up for re-election in 2014, has not said how she would vote on the bill itself.

"The right to own firearms provided by the Second Amendment to our citizens is not to be taken away," Landrieu said in a statement before Thursday's vote. "However, ...